Reflective Essay on Survivor Syndrome: Strategies for Matra University

This reflective essay addresses the issue of survivor syndrome in the workplace, stemming from downsizing interventions, drawing on the author's personal experience. The essay focuses on providing actionable strategies to support employees experiencing this condition, specifically recommending the implementation of an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and offering opportunities for short family trips. The author explains the rationale behind these strategies, emphasizing their potential to alleviate fear, improve employee well-being, and enhance overall organizational productivity. The essay highlights the importance of open communication and creating a supportive environment, suggesting that these measures can help employees overcome their anxieties and contribute more effectively to the organization. The author concludes by suggesting that Matra University would benefit from implementing these strategies to improve job satisfaction and strengthen its position.

Running head: REFLECTIVE ESSAY ON SURVIVOR SYNDROME
Reflective Essay on Survivor Syndrome
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1REFLECTIVE ESSAY ON SURVIVOR SYNDROME
Being a firsthand victim of downsizing interventions of a company, I can relate well
with the emotions that go through a worker suffering from survivor syndrome in the
workplace. The utter shock and humiliation of getting cut out from the organisation, or the
constant fear of you being the next one to be pushed out of the company is a miserable
feeling and I have felt it in close range. If a worker is seen to experience a similar thought
process, then you must understand it is “workplace survivor syndrome” that he/she is
suffering from.
I would recommend Bridget to implement proper strategies that would help the staff
to recover themselves from the condition of survivor syndrome since this condition hampers
the overall productivity of the organization itself. One such effective strategy is the
implementation of the Employee Assistance Program in the company (Drzensky & Heinz,
2015). This program shall provide discounted or free counselling to get the affected workers
out of the fear they are in for the downsizing. The company can also provide scopes for the
workers to reconnect with family and friends through the provision of short family trips. This
physical distance from work would help the worker to gain some new perspective and
confidence that would drag him/her out of the trance of the fear of downsizing interventions.
Once these strategies are properly implemented with a well-framed plan, Bridget
would understand the positive effect that these two strategies will provide. A change in the
behaviour of the terrified worker will be visible clearly (Redman, 2016). Usually these
workers suffering from survivor syndrome are unable to open up about their feeling that
disturbs them, hence the lack of production. Once a session with the Employee Assistance
Program is made mandatory for all in regular time periods or after downsizing sessions, the
affected employee would not feel ashamed to talk about the way he feels since everyone
participates in the program. And a break from work is always productive in all cases as with
the ones suffering from survivor syndrome. Matra University would positively receive a turn

2REFLECTIVE ESSAY ON SURVIVOR SYNDROME
of events if these strategies are implemented and put in action; this would enable the
university to provide job satisfaction and enhance its position.

3REFLECTIVE ESSAY ON SURVIVOR SYNDROME
References:
Drzensky, F., & Heinz, M. (2015). The hidden costs of downsizing. The Economic
Journal, 126(598), 2324-2341.
Redman, T. (2016). Downsizing. In Encyclopedia of Human Resource Management. Edward
Elgar Publishing Limited.